Video: Grad student seeks balance, skates through school

Erin Parker, now in her second year of graduate school, has been wearing several hats while studying community counseling to become a therapist. Parker is well known to Portland roller derby fans as November Pain. Throughout her intense graduate program, Parker has managed to practice three to four days a week at the roller derby track and remains one of the highest-scoring jammers in the league.

“Initially, I hung up my skates to go to grad school,” Parker said, “but I realized I needed to fit in free time and self care to sustain my professional life.”

In this video, Parker talks about taking classes like Eco-psychology and Addictions Studies, being November Pain, and making sustainable choices to find balance in her personal and professional life.